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EU rules on health staff 'put patients at risk' | EU rules on health staff 'put patients at risk' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News | By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News |
Patients are being put at "unacceptable risk" because of EU rules governing the movement of health workers, peers say. | Patients are being put at "unacceptable risk" because of EU rules governing the movement of health workers, peers say. |
A House of Lords committee said the current balance between free movement of labour and safety had been skewed. | A House of Lords committee said the current balance between free movement of labour and safety had been skewed. |
It said regulatory bodies should be able to test the language skills of all doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists and pharmacists wanting to work in the UK. | It said regulatory bodies should be able to test the language skills of all doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists and pharmacists wanting to work in the UK. |
They also called for better sharing of data about the disciplinary history of staff seeking to work abroad. | They also called for better sharing of data about the disciplinary history of staff seeking to work abroad. |
The ability of health professionals - and in particular doctors - to work across the European Economic Area (EEA) has been a controversial issue in the UK in recent years. | The ability of health professionals - and in particular doctors - to work across the European Economic Area (EEA) has been a controversial issue in the UK in recent years. |
It hit the headlines after the case of Daniel Ubani, a German locum doctor, who gave 70-year-old David Gray a fatal painkiller overdose on his first and only shift in Britain in February 2008. | It hit the headlines after the case of Daniel Ubani, a German locum doctor, who gave 70-year-old David Gray a fatal painkiller overdose on his first and only shift in Britain in February 2008. |
Investigations found Dr Ubani had been rejected for work in Leeds because of his poor English skills, but had been allowed on an approved list by another trust. | Investigations found Dr Ubani had been rejected for work in Leeds because of his poor English skills, but had been allowed on an approved list by another trust. |
A UK coroner recorded a verdict of unlawful killing and accused Dr Ubani of gross negligence. | A UK coroner recorded a verdict of unlawful killing and accused Dr Ubani of gross negligence. |
Frustration | Frustration |
The GP was given a suspended sentence in Germany for death by negligence but has still been able to work there. | |
Since the case, ministers and the General Medical Council, which regulates doctors in the UK, have expressed frustration at the current situation. | Since the case, ministers and the General Medical Council, which regulates doctors in the UK, have expressed frustration at the current situation. |
The European Commission has already announced a review of the rules with firm proposals expected by the end of the year. | The European Commission has already announced a review of the rules with firm proposals expected by the end of the year. |
It is likely they will recommend a tightening of the rules, although it could take another year for the changes to be made. | It is likely they will recommend a tightening of the rules, although it could take another year for the changes to be made. |
In the meantime ministers in England have placed a duty on local trusts to vet the language skills of doctors - they have had the power to do this but it was inconsistently carried out - as well as giving the GMC powers to investigate language competency where concerns are raised. | In the meantime ministers in England have placed a duty on local trusts to vet the language skills of doctors - they have had the power to do this but it was inconsistently carried out - as well as giving the GMC powers to investigate language competency where concerns are raised. |
But the conclusions reached by the House of Lords social policies and consumer protection committee call for a much more radical overhaul. | But the conclusions reached by the House of Lords social policies and consumer protection committee call for a much more radical overhaul. |
The peers have suggested that an alert system be set up to ensure that information about disciplinary procedures are shared between regulators from different countries. | The peers have suggested that an alert system be set up to ensure that information about disciplinary procedures are shared between regulators from different countries. |
They also want regulators to be given the power to vet language skills - as they have for doctors from outside the EEA - while the qualifications and skills recognised as being appropriate need to be updated to ensure staff are trained to the appropriate standards. | They also want regulators to be given the power to vet language skills - as they have for doctors from outside the EEA - while the qualifications and skills recognised as being appropriate need to be updated to ensure staff are trained to the appropriate standards. |
Committee chairwoman Baroness Young said: "It is absolutely unacceptable that current EU rules put patients at risk. The EU is failing our patients. | Committee chairwoman Baroness Young said: "It is absolutely unacceptable that current EU rules put patients at risk. The EU is failing our patients. |
"We recognise that mobility can bring significant benefits, but we have to make sure that this is not at the expense of patients' health, care and confidence." | "We recognise that mobility can bring significant benefits, but we have to make sure that this is not at the expense of patients' health, care and confidence." |
The report has been warmly welcomed by regulators, ministers and campaigners in the UK. | The report has been warmly welcomed by regulators, ministers and campaigners in the UK. |
Niall Dickson, chief executive of the General Medical Council, said: 'The committee is right - the safety of patients should always come first. Like us, they believe that current EU rules are putting patients at risk and urgent changes are needed." | Niall Dickson, chief executive of the General Medical Council, said: 'The committee is right - the safety of patients should always come first. Like us, they believe that current EU rules are putting patients at risk and urgent changes are needed." |
And Peter Walsh, chief executive of Action Against Medical Accidents, described the current arrangements as "crazy". | And Peter Walsh, chief executive of Action Against Medical Accidents, described the current arrangements as "crazy". |
"Patient safety must be put before political correctness." | "Patient safety must be put before political correctness." |
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley added: "It's completely unacceptable for doctors to work in the NHS if they can't speak English properly." | Health Secretary Andrew Lansley added: "It's completely unacceptable for doctors to work in the NHS if they can't speak English properly." |
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